slferg's review against another edition
5.0
The 33 men trapped in the collapse of a Chilean mine. All 33 were uninjured and there were no deaths from the collapsing, ill-maintained mine. These 33 men survived for 17 days on just a few cookies, cans of tuna, water from the tanks for the machinery and canned milk. They were almost starved with a little bit of food every few days when a drill finally penetrated the mine tunnel and they could let the outside world know they were all there and still alive. Experts from all over the world came to give advice on diet (how to reintroduce food to starved men so they weren't killed from the effect on the body of eating again), how to keep up their spirits until they could be rescued (the mine collapsed in August and they were not brought to the surface until October), a psychiatrist was brought to counsel them individually through the communication line they dropped and families were allowed to visit briefly. One of the miners had brought pencil and paper down into the mine with him to make notes of some of the equipment and ended up keeping a diary of the time they were down there. The families had rallied at the mine and insisted the miners be searched for and when found, brought out. There was world wide publicity and some publicity seekers caused problems. But the miners realized that because of this unprecedented attempt, if they were rescued there would be money made and they needed to stick together to be sure that there was a fair share of the money to each miner. No one should take advantage of another for gain, because the story was all of theirs together.
All of these men were very different characters, each in the mine for his own reasons; mainly it was a desperate attempt to raise money for their families because this was not one of the better mines and did not make much profit.
But this is the story with references to the diary, letters, interviews with each of the miners and their families. The struggle was real. They had to find a new way to get the men out because a huge rock and fallen from the top of the mine and block the exit ramp on many levels. It was too big to blow up and the mountain was still unstable with various rock falls continuing the whole time the men were there.
A courageous and fascinating story of disparate personalities and stress and fear.
All of these men were very different characters, each in the mine for his own reasons; mainly it was a desperate attempt to raise money for their families because this was not one of the better mines and did not make much profit.
But this is the story with references to the diary, letters, interviews with each of the miners and their families. The struggle was real. They had to find a new way to get the men out because a huge rock and fallen from the top of the mine and block the exit ramp on many levels. It was too big to blow up and the mountain was still unstable with various rock falls continuing the whole time the men were there.
A courageous and fascinating story of disparate personalities and stress and fear.
taysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Very gripping book. I agree with others that I thought at times the book was a bit plodding with extraneous details, and I wish there were more pictures of the miners and diagrams of the mine itself. Otherwise, though, I was riveted to this book the entire read (even though the outcome is, of course, obvious.)
Here's hoping that the next NPR book club selection is equally exciting.
Here's hoping that the next NPR book club selection is equally exciting.
bobbo49's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting look behind the story we all saw unfolding on television, peering into the lives of the 33 trapped Chilean miners before, during and after their 69 day ordeal trapped underground. A bit too journalistic in style, but even-handed and readable.
kaylab's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
betiana's review against another edition
5.0
Even knowing the story and having followed live when it happened, I couldn't put the book down. It explores not just the amazing story of survival, but the deeper sociological and economic currents that sent the men to the mines and made an entire country invest in getting them out.
sam8834's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not a huge fan of more accessible non-fiction, but this was an engaging account of a story that was quite globally captivating when it happened. There are many angles of the story to explore: the psychological effects being trapped has on an individual (and how individuals respond to it so differently); the group dynamic resulting from being confined in a small space with others; and the stories of the miners' families and friends, camped out at the mine waiting for them to be rescued. This book also brings to light many things that were mis-reported about some of the miners, and it was interesting to see how information was being relayed to (or, in some cases, taken by) the media.
Some criticisms. Photos and diagrams would have helped showcase the story, especially for readers like myself who don't have much knowledge about mines and what they look like. The author does include dimensions of a lot of the spaces they're trapped in, but some kind of visual representation would have aided readers in imagining the scene better.
Overall, it's a triumphant story worth telling, and Tobar does his best to cover all the angles and sort the truth out from what was reported at the time.
Some criticisms. Photos and diagrams would have helped showcase the story, especially for readers like myself who don't have much knowledge about mines and what they look like. The author does include dimensions of a lot of the spaces they're trapped in, but some kind of visual representation would have aided readers in imagining the scene better.
Overall, it's a triumphant story worth telling, and Tobar does his best to cover all the angles and sort the truth out from what was reported at the time.
amjkern's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Injury/injury detail and Medical content
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism